NEET UG 2025: Challenging Physics and Time Constraints Spark Mixed Reactions

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2025 was held nationwide on May 4, 2025, drawing in over 20 lakh aspirants for medical and dental college admissions. With a return to the pre-COVID exam format—featuring 180 compulsory questions in 3 hours—the exam has stirred mixed reactions, particularly due to the level of difficulty in the Physics section and the pressure of limited time.

Overall Paper Pattern: Back to Basics

This year, NEET UG ditched the optional Section B introduced during the pandemic, reverting to its traditional layout:

• Biology (Botany + Zoology): 90 questions

• Physics: 45 questions

• Chemistry: 45 questions

• Total: 180 questions in 180 minutes

Candidates had to answer every question, with no choices provided, making accuracy and time management more crucial than ever.

Section-Wise Analysis

Physics: The Toughest Nut to Crack

Many students and coaching institutes flagged Physics as the most demanding part of the exam. The section was heavy on numerical problems and conceptual depth, with topics like Mechanics and Modern Physics dominating. A noticeable number of questions were multi-step calculations, which consumed valuable exam time.

“I couldn’t finish Physics properly. The calculations were tough, and there was no room for error,” said Ananya, a candidate from Lucknow.

Chemistry: A Balanced Mix

Chemistry offered a bit of relief. Most candidates found it moderate in difficulty, with a fair balance between Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry. While a few tricky conceptual questions popped up in Organic Chemistry, the overall section was considered manageable.

“Chemistry was doable. NCERT-based questions helped a lot,” noted Karthik from Chennai.

Biology: Lengthy but Predictable

Biology, which carries the most weight, was largely NCERT-based, but many students found the section lengthy and wordy. Questions from Botany appeared slightly more analytical than in previous years.

“I could answer most of Biology, but it took a lot of time because the questions were long and similar-sounding,” said Priya, a candidate from Delhi.

Student Reactions: Anxiety Over Time, Relief in Familiarity

• Time Pressure: With no optional questions and a tight 1-minute-per-question structure, many students struggled to complete the paper.

• Return to Old Format: While some appreciated the familiar pattern, others felt the lack of choice increased the pressure.

• Mixed Emotions: While some students were confident about their performance in Biology and Chemistry, many were concerned that their Physics scores might drag down their overall result.

Expected Cut-off Trends

Given the challenging Physics section and the reintroduction of the full-length format, experts believe that the cut-off for general category students may drop slightly compared to NEET UG 2024.

Coaching experts from institutes like Aakash and Allen predict:

• General Cut-off: Expected to range between 625–640

• OBC/EWS: Likely around 600–615

• SC/ST: Could fall to 500–520

However, these are speculative and will depend heavily on the scaling and normalization process.

What’s Next?

• Official Answer Key: Expected in the second week of May.

• Result Declaration: Tentatively scheduled for early June 2025.

• Counselling Process: Will begin shortly after results are announced.

Candidates are advised to keep an eye on the official NTA NEET website for authentic updates and result announcements.

Final Takeaway

NEET UG 2025 may not have introduced a new pattern, but it tested students on time discipline, conceptual clarity, and psychological endurance. While Biology continued to dominate the paper, it was Physics that turned into the real battleground.